Sana Mahmud is a team captain, role model, and leader for girls and youth in Pakistan. Her exchange experiences gave her the opportunity to pursue her passion for using sports to foster social change and empowerment.

Oynihol Bobonazarova is a pioneer of the human rights movement in Tajikistan and one of the country’s most well-known female human rights activists. Since receiving the International Women of Courage Award in 2014, she continues to fight against torture in prisons and for universal human rights.

While serving as Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, 2012 IWOC recipient Aneesa Ahmed raised the issue of domestic violence at a time when the subject was taboo. After leaving the government, she founded the NGO “Hope for Women” and began conducting sessions on gender-based violence with students, Maldives Police Services, and other frontline workers.

Despite false leads and death threats, 2007 International Woman of Courage Awardee Susana Trimarco de Veron uncovered evidence of trafficking networks operating in her home country of Argentina and still tirelessly works to raise awareness, change laws, and aid victims.

The U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce the 2017 Professional Fellows Program Alumni Impact Award which recognizes the positive contributions made by Professional Fellows Program (PFP) alumni.

The Professional Fellows Program is pleased to announce the four fall 2016 Alumni Impact Award (AIA) recipients selected in recognition of the impact they are making on their communities after participating in the Professional Fellows Program.